Data Backup and Recovery

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Data backup is a system maintenance task that enables you to store copies of critical data for safekeeping.

• protect against loss of data due to file corruption or hardware failure

Data recovery is a task that enables you to restore user access to lost or corrupt data via the backup.

Large organizations will implement a structured backup scheme that includes a backup schedule and specifications for:

• which files are backed up
• where the backup is stored
• and how it can be recovered

Info

When a computer is connected to a network, it is bad practice for a user to store data locally (on the client PC’s fixed disks).

Network home folders and the use of scripts to copy data can help users to transfer data to a file server, where it can be backed up safely.

Backup Operations

• SOHO Backups
• Backup Methods
• Backup Media Requirements

Backup Testing and Recovery Best Practices

To test the backup

1. Restore some backup data into a test directory
   • don’t overwrite any data
   • or use a VM to test recovery with affecting the production host
2. Configure backup software to verify after it writes
   • use hashing to verify that each job is a valid copy of the source data
   • verify media integrity regularly by running chkdsk on drives used for backups
3. Verify that backup contains all the required files

Best Practices

• re-test recovery procedures whenever there is a change to the backup schedule or requirements
• perform routine tests
  • mitigates risk from media failure and configuration oversights

3-2-1 Backup Rule

 3-2-1 backup rule is a best-practice maxim that you can apply to your backup procedures.

3-2-1 Backup Rule

• 3 copies of your data (including the production copy)
• across 2 media types
• with 1 copy held offline and off site